Podium

ABSTRACT

A podium for use in teaching environments includes a sloped top, a vertical support and a base. The sloped top includes a ledge for holding notes, speeches, books and the like. An underside of the sloped top is configured to resemble a sheet of notebook paper. The vertical support is formed in the shape of a writing instrument and extends between the sloped top and the base. The base is fixed to a lower region of the vertical support and includes adjustable legs. Graduated marks may be provided on a top side of the base.

There are no related applications.

This patent application did not receive any federal research anddevelopment funding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a novel podium, lectern, orpulpit that a reader or speaker stands behind. A podium is a stand witha sloped top and is typically used to hold a book or speech at a properheight for a reader or speaker. More particularly, the invention isdirected towards a podium that is useful in educational facilities andincludes a unique design that aids in capturing the attention of anaudience. The podium's unique shape is an enlarged representative ofcommon items found in an educational setting and captures the attentionof the members of an audience by directing them towards the speaker orreader.

Podiums are used by speakers or lecturers in speaking to an audience.The podium may be used to secure books, notes, speeches or othermaterials. Additionally, a speaker may lean upon the podium to aid insupporting himself. Podiums are prevalent in educational facilitiesthroughout the world and are useful tools in teaching or informingothers. In many classrooms, a teacher stands behind a podium and readsfrom a textbook or teaches to a classroom of students.

Elementary school, Middle school and Sunday school teachers throughoutthe world teach many subjects from behind a podium. The podium offers afocal point towards which the attention of the audience of children maybe directed. Members of an audience have short attention spans andbecome easily distracted. They may talk to other students during classor intermittently daydream while in class. The instant invention aims tomore readily direct the attention of the audience towards a speaker orreader to thereby increase a learning and retention level of a member ofthe audience.

There is a positive correlation between paying an attention of aclassroom setting and the learning process. The instant invention aimsto capture the attention of youngsters by introducing them to a podiumthat is formed from parts that are representative of common learningdevices in many elementary schools. Thus, the invention assists aneducator by making the learning environment more fun.

In one embodiment, the vertical support resembles a pencil and includepersonalized indicia and a yellow coat of paint. In another embodiment,the vertical support resembles a crayon having a strip of colored paperor paint is arranged around the vertical support between the upper andlower regions and preferably includes personalized indicia printedthereon. In a further embodiment, the vertical support is formed in theshape of a highlighter and includes an upper end formed in the shape ofa highlighter cap. In an additional embodiment of the invention, thevertical support is formed in the shape of a pen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a podium that includes a sloped top having an undersidethat preferably displays markings that are formed to represent a sheetof notebook paper. A vertical support extends downward from the slopedtop. An upper end of the vertical support is fastened to the undersideof the sloped top. The vertical support is formed in the shape of awriting instrument and includes a lower end that is fixed to a base. Thebase includes adjustable feet for leveling the podium.

The invention increases the retention rate of the audience by capturingthe attention of the audience and directing their attention towards thepodium that is shaped like a sheet of paper resting atop a writinginstrument.

The podium is provided in various shapes and sizes. One common elementis that the vertical support is formed in the shape of a writinginstrument and includes a slanted top edge that is attached to anunderside of a sloped top. The underside includes indicia which isrepresentative of a sheet of notebook paper.

For instance, an underside of the sloped top includes a black decal thatresembles a hole in a sheet of notebook paper. Blue lines are providedparallel to a ledge that is provided along a bottom edge of the slopedtop. A red line is provided perpendicular to the blue lines such thatthe bottom of the sloped top resembles an enlarged sheet of notebookpaper.

In a first embodiment, the vertical support resembles a pencil andincludes personalized indicia and a yellow coat of paint. A crimpedstove pipe is arranged around an exterior of the vertical support near abottom edge of the vertical support to create the appearance of aneraser holder. A strip of sand paper is arranged around the exterior ofthe vertical support below the crimped stove pipe to resemble an eraser.

In another embodiment, the vertical support resembles a crayon having astrip of colored paper or paint arranged around the vertical supportbetween the upper and lower regions and preferably includes personalizedindicia printed thereon. An upper end of the vertical support is formedin a pointed end to mimic a writing end of a crayon. A portion of thepointed end is sloped to accommodate a plate that couples the verticalsupport to an underside of the sloped top. A lower end of the verticalsupport is formed as a back end of a crayon and flattened to acceptfasteners that fasten the base to the vertical support.

In a further embodiment, the vertical support is formed in the shape ofa highlighter and includes an upper end formed in the shape of ahighlighter cap. A sloped top of the highlighter cap fastens to interioropenings in a plate to couple the highlighter cap to an underside of thesloped top.

It is an object of the invention to provide unique podium that includesa shape of an enlarged sheet of notebook paper arranged atop a writingend of a writing instrument.

It is another object of the invention to provide a unique podium thatcaptures the attention of an audience and directs it towards the podiumto increase a retention rate for materials that are disseminated frombehind the podium.

It is another object of the invention to provide a podium that includesa sloped top arranged atop a slanted upper end of a vertical support. Alower end of the vertical support fastens to a base having adjustablefeet. The adjustable feet are useful in leveling the base to stabilizethe top. An underside of the sloped top includes indicia representativeof a sheet of notebook paper.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a podium thatincludes a sloped top arranged atop a slanted upper end of a verticalsupport. The vertical support is formed to represent a crayon andincludes a sharpened end representative of writing end of a crayon. Alower end of the vertical support fastens to a base that includesadjustable feet for leveling the base.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a podium thatincludes a sloped top arranged atop a slanted upper end of a verticalsupport. The vertical support is formed to represent a highlighter andincludes an upper end representative of cap for a highlighter. A lowerend of the vertical support fastens to a base that includes adjustablefeet for leveling the base.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned from practicing the invention. Theobjects and advantages of the invention will be obtained by means ofinstrumentalities in combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a back perspective view of a first embodiment of theinvention. Fig. B is a front perspective view of a first embodiment ofthe invention. FIG. 1C is an exploded view of the first embodiment. FIG.1D is an upper half view of FIG. 1C. FIG. 1E is a lower half view ofFIG. 1C.

FIG. 2 is an perspective view of a second embodiment and taken from thefront.

FIG. 3 is a frontal perspective view of a third embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a frontal perspective view of a fourth embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention and the various features andadvantageous details thereof are more fully explained with reference tothe non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/orillustrated in the accompanying drawings and set forth in the followingdescription. It should be noted that the features illustrated in thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and the features of oneembodiment may be employed with the other embodiments as the skilledartisan recognizes, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptionsof well-known components and techniques may be omitted to avoidobscuring the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely tofacilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may bepracticed and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice theinvention. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments set forth hereinshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which isdefined by the appended claims. Moreover, it is noted that likereference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

Now referring to FIGS. 1A-1E, a first embodiment of the invention is apodium 1 having vertical support 17 formed in the shape of a writinginstrument such as a pencil. The podium 1 includes a sloped top 2 thatcomprises an underside 6 that is decorated to resemble a sheet ofnotebook paper. The underside 6 includes an enlarged dark circle 7, aplurality of blue lines 8 which are parallel to the top and bottom edgesof the sloped top 2, and a perpendicular red line 9 that intersects theblue lines 8. These elements are arranged as shown to resemble a portionof a sheet of notebook paper.

The sloped top 2 further comprises edge protectors 3 that a arrangedalong a top and side edges of thereof. An enlarged edge protector isarranged along a bottom edge of the sloped top 2 to create a ledge 31,as better shown in FIG. 1A. The ledge 31 prevents materials that havebeen deposited on a top side 4 of the sloped top 2 from sliding off ofit. Threaded fasteners 4 are passed through the edge protectors tosecure them to their respective edge of the sloped top. In a preferredembodiment, an apple 10 is fastened to a top side of the sloped top andfastened thereto via a fastener 11 that is preferably longer than thefasteners 4. An opening 12 is provided for passing the fastener 11 therethrough. The apple 10 is preferably formed from plastic, acrylic or thelike.

A fastening plate 13 is arranged between the underside 6 and a slopedupper end 28 of the vertical supports 17. The fastening plate 13includes a plurality of interior openings 15 and a plurality of exterioropenings 16. The interior openings 15 are closer to the center of theplate 13 than the exterior openings 16. Fasteners 14 are passed throughthe interior openings 15 and into the upper sloped end 28 of thevertical support 17 to secure the plate 13 thereto. Other fasteners 14are passed through the exterior openings 16 to secure the plate 13 andvertical support 17 to the underside 6 of the sloped top 2. All thefasteners used in the present invention are preferably steel and mayinclude wood screws.

The vertical support 17 comprises metal or wood that is formed in theshape of a writing instrument. In this embodiment, the vertical support17 is hexagon in shape when taken in cross section between the upper andlower ends. In FIGS. 1A-1E, the writing instrument is a pencil. In thisembodiment, piping with a crimped end 18 is fastened to an exterior ofthe vertical upright 17 above a strip of sandpaper 19. The pipe 18 ispreferably shiny and has the appearance of an eraser holder. Thesandpaper 19 has the appearance of an eraser.

The vertical support 17 comprises a lower end 29 that is flattened foraccepting fasteners that secure the base 32 to the vertical support 17.As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 1C, fasteners 24 pass throughwashers 25 and through openings 23 of the lower notched half 21 of thebase 32 and through openings 22 of the upper notched half 20 and intothe lower end 29 of the vertical support 17. Adjustable feet 26 aresecured to the ends of the notched halves 20, 21 for leveling the base32. Graduated marks 27 and personalizing indicia 30 are preferablyincluded as shown.

For simplicity and ease in understanding the invention, exploded viewsof FIGS. 2-4 are not shown. In FIG. 2, the vertical support is formed inthe shape of a crayon 60 and includes an upper end 61 that comprises asharpened end that is sloped and fastens to the underside of the slopedtop via a fastening plate. Paper 65 may be incorporated around thevertical support to provide a more realistic appearance that it is acrayon. The paper extends towards the bottom of the crayon 60 but stopsshort of covering it as shown. The height of the vertical support mayvary.

In FIG. 3, the vertical support is formed in the shape of a highlighter50 and includes a formed region 51 that has the appearance of ahighlighter cap 51. The cap 51 includes a sloped upper end that attachesto the underside of the sloped top. A lower end of the vertical supportis larger in diameter than the upper end. The cap end includes a flareddiameter that increases in diameter and thereafter decreases. This endmay be formed from wood using a router. Otherwise, the end may merelyinclude a plastic collar that fastens to the vertical upright. As in allembodiments, various paints may be utilized to achieve an appearance ofa particular writing instrument.

In FIG. 4, the vertical support is formed in the shape of a pen thatincludes a clasp 43. The pen 40 may include an upper end 41 thatincludes a metal or plastic collar. A center ring 42 may be providedalong with a tapered end 44 that attaches to the base. The various partsmay comprise metal, plastic and wood. It should be noted that in allembodiments, the writing instruments may be configured such that thewriting end is arranged against the base.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exactconstruction illustrated and described above, but that various changesand modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and thescope of the invention as defined in the following claims. While theinvention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, itis intended that all matter contained in the above description or shownin the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative andnot in limiting sense. From the above disclosure of the generalprinciples of the present invention and the preceding detaileddescription, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend thevarious modifications to which the present invention is susceptible.Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by thefollowing claims and equivalents thereof. Materials for use inpracticing the invention may include wood, metal, plastics including,but not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene,polyurethanes, and polyvinyl chloride, or any other thermoset materials,as well as paint.

1. A podium that aids in the learning process, said podium comprising: asloped top having a top edge, two side edges, a bottom edge, an uppersurface and a lower surface, edge protectors being arranged on the topedge, and two side edges, a ledge being fastened to the bottom edge,said lower surface including indicia representative of a notebook sheetof paper and including a darkened circle and a plurality of linesarranged parallel to the ledge and a single line arranged perpendicularto the plurality of lines and parallel with the side edges; a firstplurality of fasteners that fasten the edge protectors and the ledge totheir respective edges of the sloped top; a vertical support having anupper end and a lower end and formed in the shape of a writinginstrument; a plate having a plurality of interior openings and aplurality of exterior openings; a second plurality of fasteners thatextend through the interior openings of the plate to fasten the plate toan upper end of the vertical support; a third plurality of fastenersthat extend through the exterior openings of the plate to fasten theplate and the vertical support the lower side of the sloped top; a baseaffixed to the lower end of the vertical support via a fourth pluralityof fasteners; and a plurality of adjustable feet affixed to an undersideof the base.
 2. The podium of claim 1 further comprising a base thatincludes an upper rectangular member having a notch formed on a lowerside thereof and being coupled to a lower rectangular member having anotch formed on an upper side thereof such that the notch in the upperrectangular member mates with the notch in the lower rectangular member.3. The podium of claim 1 further comprising a vertical support thatincludes a crimped piece of stove pipe arranged near the lower end ofthe vertical support member.
 4. The podium of claim 1 wherein saidvertical support includes a strip of sandpaper arranged near the lowerend of the vertical support member.
 5. The podium of claim 1 whereinsaid vertical support includes indicia printed on an exterior of thevertical support.
 6. The podium of claim 1 wherein said vertical supportis formed in the shape of a writing instrument selected from a groupconsisting of a pencil, a highlighter, a pen and a crayon.
 7. A podiumcomprising: a sloped top having a top edge, a bottom edge and two sideedges; a ledge being fastened to the sloped top along the bottom edge; avertical support having an upper end and a lower end and having anappearance of an enlarged writing instrument, said upper end of thevertical support being fastened to a bottom side of the sloped top; abase affixed to the lower end of the vertical support; and a pluralityof adjustable feet affixed to an underside of the base.
 8. The podium ofclaim 7 further comprising a base that includes an upper rectangularmember having a notch formed on a lower side thereof and being coupledto a lower rectangular member having a notch formed on an upper sidethereof such that the notch in the upper rectangular member mates withthe notch in the lower rectangular member.
 9. The podium of claim 7further comprising a vertical support that includes a crimped piece ofstove pipe arranged near the lower end of the vertical support member.10. The podium of claim 7 wherein said vertical support includes a stripof sandpaper arranged near the lower end of the vertical support member.11. The podium of claim 7 wherein said vertical support includes indiciaprinted on an exterior of the vertical support.
 12. The podium of claim7 wherein said vertical support is formed in the shape of a writinginstrument selected from a group consisting of a pencil, a highlighter,a pen and a crayon.
 13. The podium of claim 7 further comprising edgeprotectors fastened along the side and top edges of the sloped top. 14.The podium of claim 7 further comprising a plate having interior andexterior openings and being arranged between the vertical support andthe sloped top, said interior openings including fasteners passingtherethrough to secure the plate to the vertical support and saidexterior openings including fasteners passing therethrough to secure theplate to the sloped top.
 15. A podium comprising: a sloped top having atop edge, two side edges, a bottom edge, an upper surface and a lowersurface, edge protectors being arranged on the top edge, and two sideedges, a ledge being fastened to the bottom edge, said lower surfaceincluding indicia representative of a notebook sheet of paper andincluding a darkened circle and a plurality of lines arranged parallelto the ledge and a single line arranged perpendicular to the pluralityof lines and parallel with the side edges; a first plurality offasteners that fasten the edge protectors and the ledge to theirrespective edges of the sloped top; a vertical support having an upperend and a lower end and formed in the shape of a writing instrument; aplate having a plurality of interior openings and a plurality ofexterior openings; a second plurality of fasteners that extend throughthe interior openings of the plate to fasten the plate to an upper endof the vertical support; a third plurality of fasteners that extendthrough the exterior openings of the plate to fasten the plate and thevertical support the lower side of the sloped top; a base affixed to thelower end of the vertical support via a fourth plurality of fasteners,the base including an upper rectangular member having a notch formed ona lower side thereof and being coupled to a lower rectangular memberhaving a notch formed on an upper side thereof such that the notch inthe upper rectangular member mates with the notch in the lowerrectangular member; and, a plurality of adjustable feet affixed to anunderside of the base.
 16. The podium of claim 15 further comprising avertical support that includes a crimped piece of stove pipe arrangednear the lower end of the vertical support member.
 17. The podium ofclaim 15 wherein said vertical support includes a strip of sandpaperarranged near the lower end of the vertical support member.
 18. Thepodium of claim 15 wherein said vertical support includes indiciaprinted on an exterior of the vertical support.
 19. The podium of claim15 wherein said vertical support is formed in the shape of a writinginstrument selected from a group consisting of a pencil, a highlighter,a pen and a crayon.